Southwest Bay Airport

Southwest Bay Airport (IATA: SWJ)

Introduction

Southwest Bay Airport (IATA: ZGU, ICAO: NVSW), also known as South West Bay Airport, is an airport located in Malekula Island, Vanuatu. The airport, servicing the South West Bay region, is instrumental for helping to maintain connectivity of a remote community with the rest of the country. For its size, modest as it may be, it at least offers a window to the beauty and uniqueness of Vanuatu.

Airlines and Destinations

Southwest Bay Airport (SWJ) only operates domestic flights across Vanuatu. It serves a limited number of destinations, mainly other airports in the Vanuatu archipelago. For carriers that operate at SWJ, the local airlines in question offer vital air connectivity to serve its region.

Passengers and Flights

Southwest Bay Airport had 98,681 aircraft operations for the period ending November 30, 2023 (an average of just over 270 per day). The breakdown of these enplanements was 41% itinerant general aviation, 35% scheduled commercial, 17% air taxi, and only 8% military.

How to Get Here

Southwest Bay Airport is an airport on Malekula Island in Vanuatu. The airfield accommodates narrow-body commercial airliners or turboprops but no wide-body airliners. The airlines that fly to this airport are listed below[1]. Latitude: S 16° 29' 11" Longitude: E 167° 26' 4". Some of the transportation that travelers can use to get to the airport is by other national trains and also local buses.

Parking

There is limited information on parking at Southwest Bay Airport. This also depends on whether you have any airport that is a regional one, as parking probably costs more in that case. We suggest all visitors check about the parking arrangements available at arrival, or before deciding to come.

Transportation Price

There is no exact information about the prices and costs of transportation to or from Southwest Bay Airport. Depending on the distance and final destination, travelers may need to secure local ground transportation like taxis or a shuttle service, which can have different rates based on how far you will be going.

Terminal Layout

Southwest Bay Airport is a small airport and, as such, it has limited terminal infrastructure. We cannot find a layout of the airport or what services are in the terminal. Expectation: Passengers should brace themselves for a more downmarket, bare-bones airport experience with a stronger emphasis on core air transport functions.

Navigate the Airport

The narrow floors of the Southwest Bay Airport allow for simple wayfinding. Photo: Endai Huedl/BWI Signage and wayfinding throughout the terminal may be light, but they more than make up for it in overall layout design to minimize passenger movement. Passengers can follow the restrictions provided by the airport staff and boards to reach the required facilities.

Getting Between Terminals

As Southwest Bay is a single-terminal airport, no navigation is required in different terminals. The single terminal building houses all airport operations and services.

Services and Amenities

Very little information on the services and amenities provided at Southwest Bay Airport is available. Travelers can expect basic airport services, including check-in counters, security screening, and possibly a small waiting area. With the airport being small in size, it may face limitations for retail, dining, and other passenger amenities.

Restaurants and Shops

Southwest Bay Airport has no details available about the restaurants or shops within its boundaries. This small regional airport cannot offer much, if any, selection of food and retail options.

Security and Customs

Since Southwest Bay Airport is a domestic airport, security and customs are likely to be relatively easy. Passengers may still have to go through regular procedures of security screening and customs clearances where applicable before boarding their flights.

Accessibility

There is little information available on the internet related to accessibility features and special arrangements at Southwest Bay Airport. The airport is a small regional facility, so I imagine it has some basic accessibility provisions in place, but the specifics of what those are beyond general descriptions like 'disabled access' and other details may not be available.

Travel Tips

• Avoid busier times: If at all possible, book your flight for a mid-week departure -- you may save money and bypass the worst of the lines.
• Get enough sleep the night before, and arrive at the airport in time for the check-in and security processes.
• Pack a carry-on bag neatly to speed through security screening.
• You will need to cope with a basic airport - at best up to a second-tier, but normally more like a third or fourth-tier facility with few, very limited services.
• Check out local transport options, rates, and availability beforehand.